Two EPA certification filings for the Rivian R2 reveal detailed technical specifications for the company’s upcoming midsize SUV, including battery chemistry, motor power, vehicle weight, and a heat pump.
The initial application, submitted on January 6, 2026, covered the R2 broadly across three wheel configurations.
A revised filing dated March 11 narrowed the scope to only the two R2 Performance AWD variants — one on 21-inch range-optimised wheels and one on 20-inch all-terrain tyres — reflecting the trim that is now entering production at Rivian’s Normal, Illinois, plant.
The March filing listed an introduction into commerce date of March 23, eleven days after the official launch event.
Heat Pump Later
All the R2 trims will include a heat pump, the company told EV on Monday.
Rivian described the heat pump system, stating: “Real world range is expected to improve over R2 Launch vehicles (which is equipped with conventional AC system) when cabin reheat or heating is required (roughly below 20°C).”
The heat pump was described as a proprietary design integrating valves, sensors, heat exchangers, and a refrigerant bottle into a single bundle, with waste heat recovery from both the battery and powertrain, a relocated compressor for improved cabin noise, and a high-voltage coolant heater for cold-weather performance.
The EV maker has already confirmed that a Gen 3 autonomy hardware stack with LiDAR will be fitted to R2 vehicles starting in late 2026, while the launch units ship with Gen 2 hardware.
Battery and Powertrain
The January filing disclosed the R2’s battery as a three-module lithium-ion pack with nickel cobalt aluminium (NCA) chemistry, a rated capacity of 260.8 amp-hours, and usable energy of 86.8 kWh.
The battery carries an eight-year or 150,000-mile warranty with an estimated self-discharge rate of less than 4% per month.
The CARB supplemental data sheets in the March filing added physical specifications: the battery pack weighs 541 kilograms and occupies 394 litres, with a specific energy of 167 watt-hours per kilogram.
A separate battery information label template in the January filing referenced lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry alongside the NCA pack, suggesting Rivian may be planning a second battery variant — potentially for the lower-priced Standard trim expected in late 2027.
The March filing confirmed rated motor power for the first time: 219 kW for the front drive unit and 270 kW for the rear, both AC permanent magnet motors with a maximum speed of 16,000 RPM.
The R2 Performance AWD with 21-inch wheels has a curb weight of 4,998 pounds. The 20-inch all-terrain variant is slightly heavier at 5,016 pounds.
Both share a gross vehicle weight rating of 6,173 pounds and an equivalent test weight of 5,250 pounds.
Range and Efficiency
The March filing replaced the placeholder data from January with actual test results from FEV Michigan and the EPA’s Ann Arbor laboratory, conducted between February and early March.
For the 21-inch configuration, the unadjusted city range was 487.4 miles with energy consumption of 21.6 kWh per 100 miles. The unadjusted highway range was 410.8 miles at 25.7 kWh per 100 miles.
The corresponding MPGe figures were 155.7 city and 131.2 highway.
For the 20-inch all-terrain configuration, the unadjusted city range was 479.0 miles at 21.9 kWh per 100 miles, and the unadjusted highway range was 392.1 miles at 26.7 kWh per 100 miles.
These are unadjusted laboratory figures. The EPA typically applies a downward adjustment of approximately 30% to produce the window sticker range rating.
Applied to the combined figures, the adjusted range would fall in the area of roughly 300 to 340 miles — consistent with Rivian‘s public claim of up to 330 miles for the Performance trim.
DC fast charging is rated at up to 210 kW, with AC Level 2 charging at 240 volts and 48 amps.
The vehicle is natively equipped with a NACS connector at the rear left corner.
Three Certified
The January filing covered three wheel and tyre configurations: 21-inch range, 20-inch all-terrain, and 20-inch all-season.
The March filing dropped the all-season option, certifying only the 21-inch and 20-inch all-terrain for the Performance AWD launch variant.
The 20-inch all-season configuration may be certified separately at a later date, potentially alongside the Premium trim expected later this year.
Sales Projection
The January filing included a projected annual model-year sales figure of 25,000 R2 units — 5,000 in California and 20,000 in federal states.
The figure aligns with Rivian‘s public guidance, which projects 20,000 to 25,000 R2 deliveries in 2026 as part of a total target of 62,000 to 67,000 vehicles.
The filings were submitted as Rivian prepared to launch the R2 at its Normal, Illinois, plant.
Over the weekend, one of the first employee-delivery vehicles — VIN number five — was reportedly spotted at a charging station in Nebraska, being driven cross-country from the factory to California.
Customer deliveries are expected to begin by the “end of spring,” with the R2 Performance Launch Edition at $57,990 as the first trim to reach buyers.
The $45,000 entry-level Standard variant is not expected until late 2027.
